Gastight makeup material container

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a hermetically sealed cosmetic container which accommodates volatile cosmetic material in a refill case detachably installed in a container housing. The hermetically sealed cosmetic container has: a container housing (12) of a receptacular shape having a bottom wall (12b) and an outer peripheral wall (12b) which define an accommodating space (18) therein; an outer lid (16) for opening and closing the accommodating space; a refill case (20) having an inner tray (28) with a cosmetic accommodating region (28a), an inner lid (30) for opening and closing the cosmetic accommodating region, a hinge mechanism (32) projecting outwardly from the inner tray for rotatably mounting the inner lid to the inner tray, and a hermetic sealing mechanism (38,40) disposed between the inner tray and the inner lid for hermetically sealing the cosmetic accommodating region, the refill case being detachably installed in one side (18a) of the cosmetic accommodating region, leaving a space (18b) in the other side; a groove (12d) defined in the outer peripheral wall portion of the container housing for fitting the hinge mechanism; a pair of slide guides (46) disposed horizontally on a pair of parallel side walls (18c, 18d) of the outer peripheral wall portion of the container housing; and a pair of slides (48) disposed in the inner tray of the refill case for being guided by the slide guides to slide the refill case in the accommodating space.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a hermetically sealed cosmeticcontainer for containing cosmetic material in a portable fashion, andmore particularly, to a hermetically sealed cosmetic container having arefill case detachably housed in a container housing, the refill caseaccommodating volatile cosmetic material therein.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, cosmetic containers are used to carry cosmetic materials.Such a cosmetic container has a container housing accommodating cosmeticmaterial therein, and an outer lid openably and closably hinged to arear end of the container housing for covering the entire upper side ofthe container housing. The cosmetic container has a general structurewhich includes a hook mechanism disposed between the front ends of thecontainer housing and the outer lid for keeping the outer lid closed,and a button projecting from the front end of the container housing forreleasing the hook mechanism.

If the cosmetic material is a volatile cosmetic material, then thehermetic seal of the cosmetic container becomes important. There havebeen proposed various hermetically-sealed cosmetic containers whichprovide an increased hermetic sealing capability between the containerhousing accommodating cosmetic material therein and the outer lid foropening and closing the container housing. (See i) Japanese Laid-openPatent Publication No. 9-37839.) Some hermetically sealed cosmeticcontainers include an inner lid positioned between the container housingand the outer lid to provide a sealing structure between the inner lidand the container housing. (See ii) Japanese Laid-open PatentPublication No. 8-347 and iii) Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No.9-37838.) Recent years have seen a cartridge-type refill case detachablyhoused in a container housing and accommodating volatile cosmeticmaterial therein. (See iv) Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No.9-65920 and v) Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 9-98829.)

Specifically, the refill case comprises an inner lid openably andclosably attached to the inner tray accommodating cosmetic materialtherein. An elaborate sealing mechanism is disposed between the innertray and the inner lid and an elaborate detachable attaching mechanismis used between the refill case and the container housing. There isknown a detachable attaching mechanism which allows an inner trayaccommodating a non-volatile cosmetic material to be detachably housedin a container housing without use of an inner lid. (See vi) JapaneseLaid-open Patent Publication No. 9-47319.) In a design having an innerlid disposed between the container housing and the outer lid, anelaborate mechanism is employed to open and close both lids because theouter and inner lids provide a double lid mechanism. (See vii) JapaneseLaid-open Patent Publication No. 8-348 and viii) Japanese Laid-openPatent Publication No. 9-98828.)

The hermetically sealed cosmetic container shown in i) JapaneseLaid-open Patent Publication No. 9-37839 includes an annular elasticgasket disposed below the outer periphery of an opening of a cosmeticaccommodating region of the container housing, and an annular ridgeprojecting on an inner surface of the lid. When the lid is closed, theannular ridge and the annular elastic gasket are pressed against eachother below the opening of the cosmetic accommodating region. Thehermetically sealed cosmetic container disclosed in ii) JapaneseLaid-open Patent Publication No. 8-347 has an annular elastic gasket ofU-shaped cross section which is installed from above onto a peripheraledge of an opening of an inner tray and an elastic gasket disposed onthe lid. When the lid is closed, the annular elastic gasket on the innertray and the elastic gasket on the lid are pressed against each other.The hermetically sealed cosmetic container with the inner lid shown iniii) Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 9-37838 includes anannular elastic gasket disposed below the outer periphery of an openingof a cosmetic accommodating region of the container housing and anannular ridge projecting on an inner surface of the inner lid, as is thecase with Publication i), the annular ridge and the annular elasticgasket being pressed against each other below the opening of thecosmetic accommodating region.

The cosmetic container with the refill case disclosed in iv) JapaneseLaid-open Patent Publication No. 9-65920 has the container housingdivided into two portions, one as an accommodating region in which therefill case is detachably disposed, and the other as an accommodatingregion for cosmetic instruments. The accommodating region for detachableattachment and the cosmetic instrument accommodating region are dividedby a partition wall having a recess defined in the central portionthereof, and a finger hook overhanging the inner lid is disposed in therecess and projects in the accommodating region for the cosmeticinstruments. The cosmetic container with the refill case disclosed in v)Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 9-98829 has a partition wallby which the container housing is divided into two portions as is thecase with Publication iv). The partition wall and an outer peripheralwall of the container housing which is confronted by the partition wallhave first engaging portions on their confronting surfaces, and therefill case has second engaging portions on side surfaces thereof fordisengageably engaging the first engaging portions. The refill case isfixed in position by engagement of these first and second engagingportions.

The cosmetic container with the inner tray shown in vi) JapaneseLaid-open Patent Publication No. 9-47319 has a partition wall by whichthe container housing is divided, one portion as an inner trayaccommodating region. The inner tray has an engaging groove defined inthe outer periphery thereof, and the partition wall has a first engagingtooth, which is engageable in the engaging groove, disposed on its innersurface on the side of the inner tray accommodating region. The innersurface of the inner tray accommodating region which opposes thepartition wall has vertical slits extending longitudinally on bothsides, defining a plurality of claws with free lower ends. The clawshave second engaging teeth on the inner surface of the lower endsthereof for engagement in the engaging groove. The inner surface of thecontainer housing between the claws serves as a holding wall having afree lower end, and the inner tray is pressed toward the first engagingtooth by a convexity on the holding wall.

The hermetically sealed cosmetic container with the inner lid shown invii) Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 8-348 has an openingmember for pushing-open the inner lid, the opening member being disposedon either one of the openable and closable end of the inner lid or thecontainer housing. The cosmetic container with the inner lid disclosedin viii) Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 9-98828 has a singlepush-piece mounted on the container housing, the push-piece having afirst releasing member for releasing a first hook with which the outerlid detachably engages the container housing, and a second releasingmember for releasing a second hook with which the inner lid detachablyengages the container housing. The first and second hooks canrespectively be released with a single sliding action of the push-piece.

However, with the conventional hermetically sealed cosmetic containersdisclosed in i) Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 9-37839 andiii) Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 9-37838, since theannular elastic gasket is disposed below the outer periphery of theopening of the cosmetic accommodating region of the container housing,it is necessary to define an annular recess in the outer periphery ofthe opening for receiving the annular elastic gasket, and hence toprovide a space in which the annular recess is defined. If the containerhousing is to be of a certain size, then the opening is necessarily of areduced diameter, reducing the volume of the cosmetic accommodatingregion, and hence, reducing the amount of the cosmetic materialaccommodated therein. With the hermetically sealed cosmetic containerdisclosed in ii) Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 8-347, theelastic gaskets are disposed on both the inner tray and the lid, and areseparately formed from the inner tray and the lid. Consequently, thedisclosed container is made up of an increased number of parts whichfurther complicates the structure, and cannot efficiently be assembled.

The inner lid of the cosmetic container revealed in iv) JapaneseLaid-open Patent Publication No. 9-65920 can easily be opened by liftingthe finger hook from the cosmetic instrument accommodating region sincethe finger hook of the inner lid is disposed in the recess in thepartition wall. However, because the outer and inner lids are opened andclosed by respective separate actions, the process of opening the lidsis complex. The cosmetic container disclosed in v) Japanese Laid-openPatent Publication No. 9-98829 has the partition wall as is the casewith Publication iv). The first engaging portions are disposedrespectively on the partition wall and the outer peripheral wall of thecontainer housing, and the second engaging portions are disposed on theside surfaces of the inner tray to detachably engage the first engagingportions. The presence of the partition wall complicates the moldstructure used to mold the container housing. Also, since the firstengaging portions are disposed on the partition wall, the structure isfurther complex. The cosmetic container shown in vi) Japanese Laid-openPatent Publication No. 9-47319 has the partition wall and the first andsecond engaging teeth. Since the second engaging teeth are disposed onthe slitted claws, the structure is further complex.

With the hermetically sealed cosmetic container shown in vii) JapaneseLaid-open Patent Publication No. 8-348, the opening member for pushingopen the inner lid permits the inner lid to be easily opened. However,the need for opening the outer lid and the inner lid separately makes itinefficient to open the lids. The cosmetic container revealed in viii)Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 9-98828 can easily be operatedbecause the outer and inner lids can simultaneously be opened by asingle sliding action of the push-piece with the first and secondreleasing members on the push-piece. It is, however, necessary toprovide a space to slide the push-piece, resulting in various problemssuch as a corresponding increase in the size of the cosmetic containerand reduction in the amount of the cosmetic material that can beaccommodated therein.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In view of the conventional problems, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a hermetically sealed cosmetic container having aregion, simplified in structure, for accommodating a refill case in acontainer housing. Another object of the present invention is to providea hermetically sealed cosmetic container which is capable of increasingthe amount of cosmetic material to be accommodated therein withoutincreasing the size of the cosmetic container, and reducing the spacerequired to operate lids of a double structure while improving theefficiency with which to open the lids, without departing from the aboveobject.

To achieve the above object, there is provided in accordance with thepresent invention a hermetically sealed cosmetic container comprising:

a container housing having a bottom wall and an outer peripheral wallsurrounding the bottom wall, the outer peripheral wall and the bottomwall defining an accommodating space therein;

an outer lid rotatably mounted on the container housing for opening andclosing the accommodating space;

a refill case having an inner tray defining a cosmetic accommodatingregion for accommodating cosmetic material therein, an inner lid foropening and closing the cosmetic accommodating region, a hinge mechanismprojecting outwardly from the inner tray for rotatably mounting theinner lid to the inner tray, and a hermetic sealing mechanism disposedbetween the inner tray and the inner lid for surrounding andhermetically sealing the cosmetic accommodating region, the refill casebeing detachably installed in one side of the cosmetic accommodatingregion, leaving a space in the other side of the cosmetic accommodatingregion, with the hinge mechanism being disposed adjacent to the outerperipheral wall of the container housing, and the inner lid having anopenable and closable end positioned on the opposite side of the hingemechanism and within the accommodating space;

a groove defined in the outer peripheral wall portion of the containerhousing adjacent to the hinge mechanism, the hinge mechanism beingfitted in the groove so as to be exposed out of the container housing;

a pair of slide guides disposed horizontally on a pair of parallel sidewalls of the outer peripheral wall portion of the container housing, theouter peripheral wall portion with the groove defined therein beinginterposed between the slide guides; and

a pair of slides disposed in the inner tray of the refill case fordisengageably engaging with the pair of slide guides, respectively,being guided by the slide guides to slide the refill case horizontallyfrom one side of the accommodating space to the other;

the hermetic sealing mechanism comprising:

an annular ridge disposed on either one of the inner tray or the innerlid in surrounding relationship to the cosmetic accommodating region,and projecting toward the other; and

a hermetically sealing ring disposed on the other of the inner tray andthe inner lid and having a slanted surface movable in frictional contactwith the annular ridge while the inner lid is being closed, thehermetically sealing ring being hermetically pressable against theentire periphery of the annular ridge.

A hermetically sealed cosmetic container further comprises a lid openingmechanism including:

a first engaging tooth disposed on the container housing;

a first hook disposed on the outer lid for disengageably engaging thefirst engaging tooth to keep the outer lid closed;

a second engaging tooth disposed on the inner tray of the refill case;

a second hook disposed on the inner lid of the refill tray fordisengageably engaging the second engaging tooth to keep the inner lidclosed; and

a single push-piece rotatably mounted on the container housing forreleasing the first hook and the first engaging tooth out of engagementand also releasing the second hook and the second engaging tooth out ofengagement;

the push-piece comprising:

a single operating member for imparting operating forces to rotate thepush-piece; and

a first releasing member for releasing the first hook from the firstengaging tooth and a second releasing member for releasing the secondhook from the second engaging tooth, under the operating forces impartedto the operating member.

A hermetically sealed cosmetic container further comprises a lockmechanism disposed between the inner tray of the refill case and thepair of side walls of the container housing and being disengageablyengaged for locking the refill case installed in one side of theaccommodating space against sliding movement.

Further, there is provided a hermetically sealed cosmetic containerwherein the pair of slide guides and the pair of slides are verticallydisengageably engageable with each other for installing the refill caseinto and removing the refill case from the accommodating space in thecontainer housing in the vertical directions.

Furthermore, a hermetically sealed cosmetic container according to thepresent invention comprises:

a container housing having a bottom wall and an outer peripheral wallsurrounding the bottom wall, the outer peripheral wall and the bottomwall defining an accommodating space therein;

an outer lid rotatably mounted on the container housing for opening andclosing the accommodating space;

a refill case having an inner tray defining a cosmetic accommodatingregion for accommodating cosmetic material therein, an inner lid foropening and closing the cosmetic accommodating region, a hinge mechanismprojecting outwardly from the inner tray for rotatably mounting theinner lid to the inner tray, and a hermetic sealing mechanism disposedbetween the inner tray and the inner lid for surrounding andhermetically sealing the cosmetic accommodating region, the refill casebeing detachably installed in one side of the cosmetic accommodatingregion, leaving a space in the other side of the cosmetic accommodatingregion, with the hinge mechanism being disposed adjacent to the outerperipheral wall of the container housing, and the inner lid having anopenable and closable end positioned on the opposite side of the hingemechanism and within the accommodating space;

a groove defined in the outer peripheral wall portion of the containerhousing adjacent to the hinge mechanism, the hinge mechanism beingfitted in the groove so as to be exposed out of the container housing;

a pair of slide guides disposed horizontally on a pair of parallel sidewalls of the outer peripheral wall portion of the container housing, theouter peripheral wall portion with the groove defined therein beinginterposed between the slide guides; and

a pair of slides disposed in the inner tray of the refill case fordisengageably engaging with the pair of slide guides, respectively,being guided by the slide guides to slide the refill case horizontallyfrom one side of the accommodating space to the other;

a lock mechanism disposed between the inner tray of the refill case andthe pair of side walls of the container housing and being disengageablyengaged for locking the refill case installed in one side of theaccommodating space against sliding movement; and

a lid opening mechanism including: a first engaging tooth disposed onthe container housing; a first hook disposed on the outer lid fordisengageably engaging the first engaging tooth to keep the outer lidclosed; a second engaging tooth disposed on the inner tray of the refillcase; a second hook disposed on the inner lid of the refill tray fordisengageably engaging the second engaging tooth to keep the inner lidclosed; and a single push-piece rotatably mounted on the containerhousing for releasing the first hook and the first engaging tooth out ofengagement and also releasing the second hook and the second engagingtooth out of engagement; the push-piece comprising: a single operatingmember for imparting operating forces to rotate the push-piece; and afirst releasing member for releasing the first hook from the firstengaging tooth and a second releasing member for releasing the secondhook from the second engaging tooth, under the operating forces impartedto the operating member;

the hermetic sealing mechanism comprising:

an annular ridge disposed on either one of the inner tray or the innerlid in surrounding relationship to the cosmetic accommodating region,and projecting toward the other; and

a hermetically sealing ring disposed on the other of the inner tray andthe inner lid and having a slanted surface movable in frictional contactwith the annular ridge while the inner lid is being closed, thehermetically sealing ring being hermetically pressable against theentire periphery of the annular ridge.

With the above arrangement according to the present invention, therefill case which accommodates cosmetic material is installed in oneside of the accommodating space opposite to the other side which servesas an empty space. A pair of slide guides are formed horizontally on therespective parallel side walls of the outer peripheral wall of thecontainer housing. A pair of slides are disposed in the inner tray ofthe refill case for disengageably engaging the pair of slide guides,respectively, to be guided by the slide guides to slide the refill casehorizontally from one side of the accommodating space to the other. Therefill case can be slid horizontally between both sides of theaccommodating space while being guided by the slide guides engaged bythe slides. For installing the refill case, the refill case is insertedinto one side of the accommodating space and the slides are brought intoengagement with the slide guides. After this, the refill case is movedto the other side of the accommodating space to complete theinstallation of the refill case into the container housing. Since theslide guides and the slides are held in engagement with each other whenthe refill case is installed, the refill case is prevented from beingdislodged from the container housing.

With the refill case installed in one side of the accommodating space,the other side of the accommodating space may be used as anaccommodating area for accommodating a make-up instrument such as apowder puff or the like.

For removing the refill case, the refill case is horizontally returnedalong the slide guides into the other side of the accommodating space,and the slide guides and the slides are brought out of engagement witheach other so that the refill case can be taken out of the other side ofthe accommodating space.

The cosmetic accommodating region defined in the inner tray is openedand closed by an inner lid which is rotatably mounted on the inner trayby a hinge mechanism that projects outwardly from the inner tray. Thehinge mechanism is fitted in a groove defined in the outer peripheralwall of the container housing adjacent to the hinge mechanism, in amanner so that it is exposed out of the container housing. Therefore,when the inner lid is rotated, the hinge mechanism does not interferewith the container housing, and can be opened widely and outwardly ofthe container housing.

When the inner lid is closed to close the cosmetic accommodating regionof the inner tray, the cosmetic accommodating region is hermeticallysealed by the hermetic sealing mechanism disposed between the inner trayand the inner lid around the cosmetic accommodating region.

Particularly in the hermetic sealing mechanism of the present invention,as the inner lid is closed, the hermetically sealing ring ishermetically pressed against the full periphery of the annular ridge.The annular ridge is disposed on either one of the inner tray or theinner lid so as to surround the cosmetic accommodating region, and isprojected toward the other of the inner tray and the inner lid, on whichthe hermetically sealing ring is disposed. At the same time, thehermetically sealing ring is frictionally contacting and sliding againstthe annular ridge. Therefore, even if there arecosmetic-material-deposits on the annular ridge and the hermeticallysealing ring, those cosmetic-material-deposits can be scraped off by thesliding movement of the annular ridge and the hermetically sealing ring.

The surface of the hermetically sealing ring against which the annularridge slides is the slanted surface. Consequently, as the inner lid isclosed, the annular ridge slides to press progressively and morestrongly against the slanted surface of the hermetically sealing ringfor effectively scraping off cosmetic-material-deposits. When the innerlid is fully closed, the hermetically sealing ring and the annular ridgeare pressed against each other under increased pressing forces.

According to the present invention, when the single operating member ofthe push-piece is operated while both the outer lid and the inner lidare being closed, the push-piece is rotated, causing the first releasingmember to release the first hook and the first engaging tooth out ofengagement with each other and also causing the second releasing memberto release the second hook and the second engaging tooth out ofengagement with each other. Therefore, both the outer lid and the innerlid can be opened with the single push-piece.

According to the present invention, furthermore, a lock mechanism isdisposed between the inner tray of the refill case and a pair of sidewalls of the container housing in a disengageably-engageable manner forlocking the refill case installed in one side of the accommodating spaceto prevent sliding movement, thereby preventing the refill case fromfreely moving in the accommodating space when the container housing istilted.

According to the present invention, furthermore, the pair of slideguides and the pair of slides are vertically disengageably-engageablewith each other, so that the refill case is detachably installed to theaccommodating space of the container housing in the vertical direction.Consequently, the refill case can be installed into and removed from thecontainer housing vertically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hermetically sealed cosmetic containeraccording to an embodiment of the present invention, the view showing acontainer housing with an outer lid being open and a refill case removedfrom the container housing;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the hermetically sealed cosmetic containershown FIG. 1 with the outer lid open;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the container housing, fromwhich a push-piece is detached, of the hermetically sealed cosmeticcontainer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV--IV of FIG. 1,illustrating the hermetically sealed cosmetic container shown in FIG. 1with the refill case attached thereto;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V--V of FIG. 1,illustrating the hermetically sealed cosmetic container shown in FIG. 1with the refill case attached thereto;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI--VI of FIG. 1,illustrating the hermetically sealed cosmetic container shown in FIG. 1with the outer and inner lids closed;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 6, illustrating thehermetically sealed cosmetic container shown in FIG. 1 with the outerand inner lids being about to be opened;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of portion VIII shown in FIG.5, of the hermetically sealed cosmetic container shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 9 through 18 are enlarged cross-sectional views similar to FIG. 8,showing other hermetical sealing mechanisms that are applicable to thehermetically sealed cosmetic container according to the presentinvention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1and 2, a hermetically sealed cosmetic container 10 according to thepresent embodiment has a container housing 12 and an outer lid 16 hingedto a rear end of the container housing 12 by a first hinge 14. Thecontainer housing 12 is of a receptacular shape having an outerperipheral wall 12a and a bottom wall 12b. The container housing 12defines therein a rectangular accommodating space 18 according to theouter profile of the container housing 12. A refill case 20 is mountedin one side 18a (left-hand side as shown in the Figure) of theaccommodating space 18. The first hinge 14 comprises a ledge 14bdisposed centrally on a rear end of the outer lid 16 and fitted in arecess 14a defined centrally in the rear end of the container housing12, and hinge pins 14c inserted from both sides into both the ledge 14band the recess 14a. A first hook 22 projects from the center of anopenable end of the outer lid 16. When the outer lid 16 is closed, thefirst hook 22 is disengageably engaged to a first engaging tooth 24mounted centrally on a front end of the container housing 12. The outerlid 16 remains closed by this engagement. The first engaging tooth 24 isdisposed in a cavity 12c defined in a front face of the outer peripheralwall 12a. A vanity mirror 26 is mounted in a recess 16a defined in thereverse side of the outer lid 16.

The refill case 20 is used as a replacement case which accommodatescosmetic material therein. The refill case 20 comprises an inner tray 28having a cosmetic accommodating region 28a capable of being filled witha volatile cosmetic material and an inner lid 30 for closing the uppersurface of the inner tray 28. The inner lid 30 has a left end, as shownin the Figure, openably and closably hinged to the inner tray 28 by asecond hinge 32 as a hinge mechanism. The second hinge 32 comprises apair of support teeth 32a, 32a projecting from the left end of the innertray 28, a ledge 32b projecting from the center of the left end of theinner lid 30, the ledge 32b being fitted in a space between the supportteeth 32a, and hinge pins 32c inserted into the support teeth 32a, 32aand the ledge 32b. The second hinge 32 projects from the inner tray 28.The outer peripheral wall 12a has an upwardly open groove 12d defined ina portion thereof which forms an end portion of the side 18a of theaccommodating space 18. With the refill case 20 mounted in place, thesecond hinge 32 is arranged and fitted in the groove 12d.

A second hook 34 projects centrally from the free end of the inner lid30 and is disengageably engaged to a second engaging tooth 36 mounted onthe inner tray 28 for thereby keeping the inner lid 30 closed. Thesecond engaging tooth 36 is formed in a cavity 28b defined centrally inthe right end of the inner tray 28. When the inner lid 30 is closed, thesecond hook 34 is placed in the cavity 28b.

The refill case 20 is fitted in place so that the inner tray 28 hasfront and rear outer side surfaces 28c, 28d held substantially in closecontact with respective front and rear side walls 18c, 18d of theaccommodating space 18 of the container housing 12, with the secondhinge 32 and the second hook 34 being oriented to the right and the leftsides, respectively. The inner lid 30 has front and rear side edges 30a,30b, which are free of the second hinge 32 and the second hook 34, sowide that they project outwardly from the inner tray 28. Both the widelyformed side edges 30a, 30b are superposed on an upper end of the outerperipheral wall 12a of the container housing 12 when the refill case 20is fitted in the accommodating space 18.

A hermetic sealing mechanism for hermetically sealing the cosmeticaccommodating region 28a is disposed between the inner lid 30 and theinner tray 28. As shown in FIG. 4, the hermetic sealing mechanismcomprises a hermetically sealing ring 38 disposed around the opening ofthe cosmetic accommodating region 28a and an annular ridge 40 on theinner lid 30 which extends along the hermetically sealing ring 38.

The hermetically sealing ring 38 is comprised of a band-like ring madeof a general sealing material such as rubber or the like. As shown inFIG. 8, the hermetically sealing ring 38 is pressed into an annulargroove 28e defined around the opening of the cosmetic accommodatingregion 28a, and has an upper portion projecting as an upward protrusion38a from the upper end of the opening of the cosmetic accommodatingregion 28a. The hermetically sealing ring 38 also has an annular groove38b defined peripherally in the inner peripheral surface thereofimmediately below the protrusion 38a. The annular groove 38b serves toreduce the thickness of the hermetically sealing ring 38 to impart anelastic function thereto, and it defines a gap 6 between thehermetically sealing ring 38 and the inner surface of the annular groove28e for allowing the hermetically sealing ring 38 to be elasticallydeformed in the radially inward direction. The hermetically sealing ring38 further has an annular inner flange 38c projecting radially inwardlyfrom the aforesaid protrusion 38a and slidably supported on an innerflat surface 28f around the cosmetic accommodating region 28a. Thehermetically sealing ring 38 also has a first slanted surface 42disposed on an outer periphery of the aforesaid protrusion 38a andinclined outwardly of the inner tray 28 with its outer diameterprogressively increasing along the downward direction.

The inner lid 30 has a recess 30c defined in the reverse surface thereofat a position corresponding with the cosmetic accommodating region 28a.The recess 30c has a peripheral edge with a step-like projecting portionwhich serves as the annular ridge 40. The annular ridge 40 has a secondslanted surface 44 which confronts the first slanted surface 42 of theprotrusion 38a from the above side and which is inclined at an angle θ2that is greater than an angle θ1 of the first slanted surface 42.Because the angle θ2 of the second slanted surface 44 is greater thanthe angle θ1 of the first slanted surface 42, when the inner lid 30starts to close, the annular ridge 40 is first brought into contact withthe protrusion 38a. Thereafter, when the inner lid 30 is further closed,the inner peripheral corner of the annular ridge 40 moves whilescrubbing against the first slanted surface 42 of the hermeticallysealing ring 38. In this embodiment, the angle 62 of the second slantedsurface 44 is at right angle.

As shown in FIG. 1, the rectangular accommodating space 18 defined inthe container housing 12 has a length L1 between its front and rear endswhich is substantially equal to a width W1 between the front and rearends of the inner tray 28, and a length L2 between its left and rightends which is substantially twice the width W2 between the left andright ends of the inner tray 28. In the side 18a of the accommodatingspace 18 which accommodates the refill case 20, the pair of side walls18c, 18d which confront each other and extend parallel to each otherhave respective slide guides 46 comprised of a pair of ridges andextending parallel to the bottom wall 12b of the accommodating space 18.The side surfaces 28c, 28d of the inner tray 28 of the refill case 20,which confront the side walls 18c, 18d, respectively, have slides 48comprised of grooves defined respectively therein, into which the slideguides 46 are disengageably engaged, respectively. When the slide guides46 and the slides 48 are relatively slid while in engagement, the refillcase 20 is slid between the side 18a of the accommodating space 18 andthe other side 18b thereof. The slide guides 46 have respective teeth46a near their ends closer to the side 18b and which are spacedtherefrom by gaps, the respective teeth 46a having slanted surfaces. Theslides 48 include respective bridges 48a which will move over the teeth46a and snap into the gaps when the inner tray 28 is placed into theaccommodating space 18. The teeth 46a and the bridges 48a aredisengageably engageable with each other for thereby preventing therefill case 20 from freely moving in the accommodating space 18 when thecontainer housing 12 is tilted.

The container housing 12 has a push-piece 50 for releasing the firsthook 22 of the outer lid 16 and the second hook 34 of the inner lid 30from engagement with each other. As shown in FIG. 3, the push-piece 50is placed in the cavity 12c defined centrally in the front end of thecontainer housing 12. The push-piece 50 has a length L3 which issubstantially equal to a width W3 of the cavity 12c between its left andright ends. The push-piece 50 has a laterally opened pivot hole 50adefined in an upper end thereof and fitted over a pair of support shafts52 projecting from both inner surfaces of the cavity 12c, and hence isrotatably supported for rotating about the support shafts 52. Thepush-piece 50 has an operating member 50b projecting slightly forwardfrom the lower end thereof, and also includes a first releasing member50c projecting horizontally backward from the right end of its upper endand a second releasing member 50d projecting horizontally backward fromthe left end of its upper end. As shown in FIG. 2, the first releasingmember 50c has a length up to the surface of the cavity 12c on which thefirst engaging tooth 24 is mounted, and the second releasing member 50dhas a length up to a position immediately below the edge of the innerlid 30 of the refill case 20 by passing through a recess 12e defined inan upper portion of the cavity 12c. The tip end of the first releasingmember 50c is positioned below the outer lid 16, and the tip end of thesecond releasing member 50d is positioned below the inner lid 30.

In the hermetically sealed cosmetic container 10 with theabove-mentioned structure according to this embodiment, when the outerlid 16 and the inner lid 30 are closed, the first hook 22 is engaged tothe first engaging tooth 24, keeping the outer lid 16 closed, as shownin FIG. 6, and the second hook 34 is engaged to the second engagingtooth 36, keeping the inner lid 30 closed, as shown in FIG. 4. When thepush-piece 50 disposed centrally on the front end of the containerhousing 12 is pushed, the outer and inner lids 16, 30 can be opened,allowing the user to use the cosmetic material in the refill case 20.Specifically, when the operating member 50b on the lower end of thepush-piece 50 is pressed, the push-piece 50 is rotated about the supportshafts 52, lifting the first and second releasing members 50c, 50dupwards. The first and second releasing members 50c, 50d impart upwardpushing forces to the outer lid 16 and the inner lid 30, releasing thefirst hook 22 and the first engaging tooth 24 out of engagement witheach other and also releasing the second hook 34 and the second engagingtooth 36 out of engagement with each other, whereupon the outer lid 16and the inner lid 30 are slightly opened, as shown in FIG. 7. The outerlid 16 can then be manually opened, and thereafter the inner lid 30 canbe manually opened in the same manner.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when opening the inner and outer lids16,30, since the outer lid 16 and the inner lid 30 can be openedaltogether by one press of the single push-piece 50 rotatably mounted onthe container housing 12, the process of opening the lids when using thecosmetic material is highly simplified even though the hermeticallysealed cosmetic container 10 has a detachable refill case 20. Thoughboth the outer lid 16 and the inner lid 30 can be opened by a singleaction of the push-piece 50, since the push-piece 50 is rotated, thespace required for the push-piece 50 may be small, and the hermeticallysealed cosmetic container 10 may be reduced in size.

When the inner lid 30 of the refill case 20 is opened, the second hinge32 does not interfere with the outer peripheral wall 12a because thesecond hinge 32 projecting from the left end of the refill case 20 isdisposed in the groove 12d defined in the outer peripheral wall 12a.Thus, the inner lid 30 can be opened widely outwardly of the containerhousing 12 for thereby allowing the user to use the cosmetic materialwith ease. As shown in FIG. 7, when the outer lid 16 and the inner lid30 are opened by releasing the first and second hooks 22, 34, a rearcorner of the inner lid 30 pushes up the reverse side of the outer lid16. (This is the surface of the vanity mirror 26 in this embodiment.)Therefore, the outer lid 16 can initially be opened to a large angle bythe action of the push-piece 50.

After make-up, the inner lid 30 is first closed and then the outer lid16 is closed. The first hook 22 and the first engaging tooth 24 arebrought into engagement with each other, and the second hook 34 and thesecond engaging tooth 36 are brought into engagement with each other,keeping the outer lid 16 and the inner lid 30 closed. With the inner lid30 closed, the inner tray 28 remains highly hermetically sealed by thehermetically sealing ring 38. Specifically, as for the refill case 20,as the inner lid 30 is progressively closed, the inner corner of theannular ridge 40 formed on the inner lid 30 abuts against the firstslanted surface 42 outward of the protrusion 38a of the hermeticallysealing ring 38 on the inner tray 28. As the inner lid 30 is furtherclosed, the annular ridge 40 frictionally moves downwardly whilefrictionally contacting and sliding against the first slanted surface42. Even if cosmetic-material-deposits are present on the hermeticallysealing ring 38 provided around the opening of the cosmetic materialaccommodating region 28a and the annular ridge 40 of the inner lid 30,those cosmetic-material-deposits are scraped off the hermeticallysealing ring 38 and the annular ridge 40 by the sliding engagement ofthe annular ridge 40 and the hermetically sealing ring 38 before theinner lid 30 is fully closed. Accordingly, both engaging surfaces arekept clean at all times.

Because the first slanted surface 42 of the hermetically sealing ring 38slides against the annular ridge 40, as the inner lid 30 isprogressively closed, the annular ridge 40 slides progressively and morestrongly against the protrusion 38a, thus effectively scraping offcosmetic-material-deposits. When the inner lid 30 is completely closed,the cosmetic accommodating region 28a is highly hermetically sealedbecause the first slanted surface 42 and the annular ridge 40 arepressed against each other under sufficient pressing forces and alsobecause cosmetic-material-deposits are scraped off. Even though thecosmetic material accommodated in the cosmetic accommodating region 28ais a volatile cosmetic material, volatile constituents of the cosmeticmaterial are prevented from spreading out, and hence the quality thereofcan be maintained for a long period of time.

In the hermetic sealing mechanism according to this embodiment, theprotrusion 38a, which performs a substantial sealing function of thehermetically sealing ring 38, projects upwardly from the upper surfaceof the inner tray 28 around the opening of the cosmetic accommodatingregion 28a. Therefore, the position above the cosmetic accommodatingregion 28a is sealed by the protrusion 38a. Unlike the conventionalstructure in which the cosmetic accommodating region 28a is sealed in alower portion thereof by an annular recess defined around the cosmeticaccommodating region 28a, only the annular groove 28e for installing thehermetically sealing ring 38 needs to be defined around the cosmeticaccommodating region 28a. The opening area of the cosmetic accommodatingregion 28a may thus be made larger, increasing the amount of theaccommodated cosmetic material without increasing the size of thehermetically sealed cosmetic container 10. The hermetically sealing ring38 fitted in the annular groove 28e is radially and elasticallydeformable by the gap δ. Since the inner flange 38c of the hermeticallysealing ring 38 of the present embodiment is slidably supported on theinner flat surface 28f, the inner peripheral side of the hermeticallysealing ring 38 which would otherwise tend to fall by forced contactwith the annular ridge 40 is borne by the inner flat surface 28f. As aresult, the necessary elastic deformability is appropriately imparted tothe sealing member while assuring that the annular ridge 40 is capableof removing cosmetic-material-deposits with the above-described slidingmovement.

In this embodiment, for installing the refill case 20 in theaccommodating space 18 in the container housing 12, the slide guides 46on the front and rear side walls 18c, 18d of the accommodating space 18and the slides 48 in the front and rear side surfaces 28c, 28d of theinner tray 28 are brought into interfitting engagement with each otherand slide against each other, so that the refill case 20 can slide fromone side 18b into the other side 18a of the accommodating space 18. Uponremoval, on the contrary, the refill case 20 is caused to slide backfrom the side 18a to side 18b of the accommodating space 18. With therefill case 20 installed in position, the side 18b of the accommodatingspace 18 is an empty space, and make-up instruments such as a powderpuff 54 or the like may be placed in the empty space 18b.

With the refill case 20 mounted in place, since the slide guides 46 andthe slides 48 are held in engagement with each other, the refill case 20is prevented from being dislodged from the container housing 12. Becausethe refill case 20 is installed and detached by sliding movement in theaccommodating space 18, there is no partition wall present between theinstalling space 18a for the refill case 20 and the make-up instrumentaccommodating space 18b, unlike the conventional arrangements.Therefore, the accommodating space 18 is moldable as a continuous spaceas a whole, and hence is simple in structure. Therefore, the moldstructure for manufacturing the container housing 12 may be simplified.

The slide guides 46 and the slides 48 basically serve to slide therefill case 20 in the accommodating space 18. In addition, the amount ofprojection of the slide guides 46 and the depth of the slides 48 may beadjusted to allow them to engage with each other vertically, so that therefill case 20 may directly be installed into and removed from the side18a of the accommodating space 18 in the vertical direction. If therefill case 20 can vertically be installed into and removed from theaccommodating space 18, then the refill case 20 can be installed anddetached without having to remove the powder puff 54 placed in side 18bof the accommodating space 18 upon each installation and detachment.

FIGS. 9 through 18 are enlarged cross-sectional views similar to FIG. 8,showing other embodiments of the hermetic sealing mechanisms for thecosmetic accommodating region 28a of the refill case 20. Each of theother embodiments will be described below in order. The component partswhich are identical to those of the above embodiment are denoted byidentical reference numerals, and duplicating explanation will beomitted. FIGS. 9 through 11 show types in which a hermetically sealingring 38 is disposed on an inner tray 28 and an annular ridge 40 disposedon an inner lid 30 is pressed against the outer periphery of aprotrusion 38a of the hermetically sealing ring 38, as is the case withthe above embodiment. FIGS. 12 through 15 show types in which an annularridge 40 disposed on an inner lid 30 is pressed against the innerperiphery of a protrusion 38a of a hermetically sealing ring 38 disposedon an inner tray 28. FIGS. 16 through 18 show types in which ahermetically sealing ring 38 is disposed on an inner lid 30 and anannular ridge 40 is disposed on an inner tray 28.

More specifically, in a hermetic sealing mechanism according to anembodiment shown in FIG. 9, the angle . 2 of a second slanted surface 44of the annular ridge 40 disposed on the inner lid 30 is smaller than theangle θ1 of a first slanted surface 42 of the protrusion 38a of thehermetically sealing ring 38. This embodiment offers the same operationand advantages as those of the above embodiment. While the angle θ2 ofthe second slanted surface 44 is smaller than right angle, the sameoperation and advantages can be attained even if the angle θ2 is greaterthan right angle.

In a hermetic sealing mechanism according to an embodiment shown in FIG.10, an upwardly projecting annular ridge 56 is integrally formed withthe upper end of the inner tray 28 in spaced relationship to the outerperiphery of the hermetically sealing ring 38. The annular ridge 56separates the inner and outer regions of the cosmetic accommodatingregion 28a from each other. An upper surface of the inner tray 28 whichis outside the annular ridge 56 is higher than an inner flat surface28f.

This embodiment offers the same operation and advantages as those of theabove embodiments, but is also capable of holding scrapedcosmetic-material-deposits in a clearance 58 between the annular ridge56 and the hermetically sealing ring 38 for preventing scattering.

In a hermetic sealing mechanism according to an embodiment shown in FIG.11, an annular ridge 56 is disposed on a ring 60 separate from the innertray 28, and the ring 60 is fitted around the outer periphery of thehermetically sealing ring 38. There is formed a fitting groove 62 aroundthe outer periphery of the hermetically sealing ring 38, and the ring 60is fitted in the fitting groove 62. The ring 60 has an inner flange 60aon the inner periphery thereof which presses the upper end of an outerflange 38d projecting on the outer periphery of the lower end of thehermetically sealing ring 38.

This embodiment offers the same operation and advantages as those of theembodiment shown in FIG. 10. Furthermore, since the hermetically sealingring 38 is subsequently pressed down by the ring 60 after thehermetically sealing ring 38 is placed in an annular groove 28e, thehermetically sealing ring 38 which is made of an elastic material can beassembled efficiently.

In a hermetic sealing mechanism according to an embodiment shown in FIG.12, the hermetically sealing ring 38 is fitted in the annular groove 28edefined around the opening of the cosmetic accommodating region 28a inthe inner tray 28, and the first slanted surface 42 is disposed on theinner side of the protrusion 38a of the hermetically sealing ring 38.The inner lid 30 has an annular ridge 40 at a position corresponding tothe inner periphery of the hermetically sealing ring 38, and a secondslanted surface 44 is disposed on the outer side of the annular ridge40. The angle θ1 of the first slanted surface 42 is greater than theangle θ2 of the second slanted surface 44. In this embodiment, anelevation 64 having a height which is substantially the same as theupper end of the protrusion 38a of the hermetically sealing ring 38 isdisposed on the outer peripheral edge of the annular groove 28e forpreventing the protrusion 38a from falling outwardly. The inner lid 30has a sealing tooth 66 confronting the upper end of the protrusion 38a.When the inner lid 30 is closed, the sealing tooth 66 is pressed againstthe upper end of the protrusion 38a.

According to this embodiment, alike the above-mentioned embodiments,when the inner lid 30 is closed, the second slanted surface 44 of theannular ridge 40 slides against the first slanted surface 42 of thehermetically sealing ring 38 for thereby scrapingcosmetic-material-deposits off the slanted surfaces 42, 44 for anincreased sealing capability. Since the sealing tooth 66 is pressedagainst the protrusion 38a of the hermetic sealing ring 38 when theinner lid 30 is closed, the pressed surfaces also provide a seal for anincreased sealing capability.

In a hermetic sealing mechanism according to an embodiment shown in FIG.13, the angle θ2 of the second slanted surface 44 of the annular ridge40 is substantially at right angle so as to be greater than the firstslanted surface 42 of the protrusion 38a of the hermetically sealingring 38. This embodiment offers the same operation and advantages asthose of the above embodiment. The angle θ2 of the second slantedsurface 44 may be greater than right angle.

In a hermetic sealing mechanism according to an embodiment shown in FIG.14, an annular groove 38e is defined in the hermetically sealing ring 38near the upper end of the outer periphery thereof, on the opposite sideof the first slanted surface 42. The annular groove 38e serves to reducethe thickness of the hermetically sealing ring 38 to increase theelastic function thereof, and defines a gap 6 between the outer surfaceof the annular groove 28e for allowing the hermetically sealing ring 38to be elastically deformed in a radially outward direction. In thisembodiment, the groove 38e is effective to increase pressing forces, andthe pressing engagement between the first and second slanted surfaces42, 44 under resilient forces produced by elastic deformation of thehermetically sealing ring 38 is capable of increasing the hermeticsealability of a cosmetic accommodating region 28a.

In a hermetic sealing mechanism according to an embodiment shown in FIG.15, the elevation 64 is disposed on a ring 68 separate from the innertray 28, and fitted around the outer periphery of the hermeticallysealing ring 38. There is formed a fitting groove 70 defined around theouter periphery of the hermetically sealing ring 38, and the ring 68 isfitted in the fitting groove 70. The ring 68 has an inner flange 68a onits inner periphery which presses the upper end of the outer flange 38fprojecting on the outer periphery of the lower end of the hermeticallysealing ring 38.

This embodiment offers the same operation and advantages as those of theembodiment shown in FIG. 13. Furthermore, since the hermetically sealingring 38 is subsequently pressed down by the ring 68 after thehermetically sealing ring 38 is placed in the annular groove 28e, thehermetically sealing ring 38 which is made of an elastic material can beassembled efficiently.

In a hermetic sealing mechanism according to an embodiment shown in FIG.16, the annular ridge 40 projects upwardly and integrally from the innertray 28 around the cosmetic accommodating region 28a, and the inner lid30 has an annular groove 72 in a position corresponding to the annularridge 40, with a hermetically sealing ring 38 fitted in the annulargroove 72. The hermetically sealing ring 38 has a protrusion 38a on itslower end which has a first slanted surface 42 on its outer periphery.The annular ridge 40 has a second slanted surface 44 on its innerperiphery in confronting relation to the first slanted surface 42. Theangle θ1 of the first slanted surface 42 is smaller than the angle θ2 ofthe second slanted surface 44. The upper surface of the inner tray 28which is outside of the annular ridge 40 is formed at a higher levelthan the inner flat surface 28f inside of the annular ridge 40. There isprovided a hanging wall 74 projecting on the inner peripheral edge ofthe annular groove 72 to a position which is substantially the same asthe lower end of the protrusion 38a of the hermetically sealing ring 38.The hanging wall 74 serves to prevent the protrusion 38a from fallingover.

In this embodiment, when the inner lid 30 starts being closed, the lowerend of the first slanted surface 42 formed in the protrusion 38a of thehermetically sealing ring 38 on the side of the inner lid 30 abutsagainst the upper end of the second slanted surface 44 of the annularridge 40 on the inner tray 28. When the inner line 30 is further closed,the first slanted surface 42 frictionally moves downwardly as it slidesagainst the second slanted surface 44. Even if there arecosmetic-material-deposits on the annular ridge 40 around the opening ofthe cosmetic accommodating region 28a and the hermetically sealing ring38 on the inner lid 30, these cosmetic-material-deposits are scraped offfrom between the hermetically sealing ring 38 and the annular ridge 40by the sliding engagement between the annular ridge 40 and thehermetically sealing ring 38 before the inner lid 30 is fully closed.Accordingly, both portions can be kept in a clean condition at alltimes. Thus, this embodiment offers the same operation and advantages asthose of the above embodiments.

In a hermetic sealing mechanism according to an embodiment shown in FIG.17, the angle θ2 of the second slanted surface 44 of the annular ridge40 projecting from the inner tray 28 is substantially at right angle soas to be greater than that of the first slanted surface 42 of theprotrusion 38a of the hermetically sealing ring 38. This embodimentoffers the same operation and advantages as those of the aboveembodiment. The angle θ2 of the second slanted surface 44 may be greaterthan right angle.

In a hermetic sealing mechanism according to an embodiment shown in FIG.18, an annular groove 38g is defined in the hermetically sealing ring 38near the upper end of the inner periphery thereof on the opposite sideof the first slanted surface 42. The annular groove 38g serves to reducethe thickness of the hermetically sealing ring 38 to increase theelastic function thereof, and defines a gap 6 between the outer surfaceof an annular groove 72 for allowing the hermetically sealing ring 38 tobe elastically deformed in the radially inward direction. In thisembodiment, the groove 38g is effective to increase pressing forces.Also, the pressing engagement between the first and second slantedsurfaces 42, 44 under resilient forces produced by elastic deformationof the hermetically sealing ring 38 is capable of increasing thehermetic sealability of a cosmetic accommodating region 28a. When theprotrusion 38a is pressed against the annular ridge 40, the innerperipheral edge of the hermetically sealing ring 38 which is pushedinwardly is slidably borne by a recess 76 defined in the lower end ofthe hanging wall 74. Consequently, the necessary elastic deformabilityis appropriately imparted to the sealing member while assuring that theannular ridge 40 is capable of removing cosmetic-material-deposits withits sliding movement.

There have been disclosed in the above embodiments: the slide mechanismwhich comprises the slide guides 46 and the slides 48 between the innertray 28 of the refill case 20 and the accommodating space 18, thestructure of the groove 12d defined in the outer peripheral wall 12 forholding the second hinge 32 of the refill case 20, the hermetic sealingmechanism comprising the hermetically sealing ring 38 and the annularridge 40, and the rotatable push-piece 50. The above embodiments aremerely given by way of illustrative example to achieve the object of thepresent invention, and therefore, the slide mechanism, the groove 12d,the hermetic sealing mechanism, and the push-piece 50 may be of otherstructures than those disclosed in the above embodiments.

In the hermetically sealed cosmetic containers according to the presentinvention, as described above, the refill case which accommodatescosmetic material is installed in one side of the accommodating spaceformed in the container housing opposite to the other side serving as anempty space. The pair of slide guides are mounted horizontally on thepair of parallel side walls of the outer peripheral wall of thecontainer housing, respectively, and the pair of slides are disposed inthe inner tray of the refill case for disengageably engaging the pair ofslide guides, respectively, and being guided by the slide guides toslide the refill case horizontally from one side of the accommodatingspace to the other. The refill case can be installed to and removed fromthe container housing by horizontally sliding the refill case betweenone side of the accommodating space to the other while being guided bythe slide guides engaged by the slides. Since the slide guides and theslides are held in engagement with each other, when the refill case isinstalled, the refill case is prevented from being dislodged from thecontainer housing. Because the refill case is installed and removed bysliding action in the accommodating space, there is no need to provide apartition wall which would otherwise been present between the refillcase installing space and the make-up instrument accommodating space asis the case with the conventional arrangements. Therefore, theaccommodating space is moldable as a continuous space as a whole andhence is simple in structure. Therefore, the mold structure formanufacturing the container housing may be simplified.

With the refill case installed in one side of the accommodating space,the other side of the accommodating space may be used as anaccommodating area for accommodating make-up instruments such as apowder puff or the like.

The cosmetic accommodating region defined in the inner tray is openedand closed by the inner lid which is rotatably mounted on the inner trayby a hinge mechanism that projects outwardly from the inner tray. Thehinge mechanism is fitted in the groove defined in the outer peripheralwall of the container housing adjacent to the hinge mechanism to exposethe hinge mechanism out of the container housing. Therefore, when theinner lid is rotated, the hinge mechanism does not interfere with theouter peripheral wall of the container housing, and can be opened widelyoutwardly of the container housing.

When the inner lid is closed to close the cosmetic accommodating regionof the inner tray, the cosmetic accommodating region is hermeticallysealed by the hermetic sealing mechanism disposed between the inner trayand the inner lid around the cosmetic accommodating region.

Especially in the hermetic sealing mechanism of the present invention,as the inner lid is closed, the hermetically sealing ring ishermetically pressed against the full periphery of the annular ridge,which is disposed on either one of the inner tray or the inner lid insurrounding relation to the cosmetic accommodating region, and whichprojects toward the other component on which the hermetically sealingring is disposed. At the same time the hermetically sealing ring isfrictionally contacting and sliding against the annular ridge.Therefore, even if there are cosmetic-material-deposits on the annularridge and the hermetically sealing ring, thosecosmetic-material-deposits can be scraped off by the sliding movement ofthe annular ridge and the hermetically sealing ring. Therefore, when theinner lid is completely closed, the clean annular ridge is pressedagainst the hermetically sealing ring which is clean and free ofcosmetic-material-deposits, providing an excellent hermetically sealingcapability.

The surface of the hermetically sealing ring against which the annularridge slides is formed into a slanted surface. Consequently, as theinner lid is progressively closed, the annular ridge slidesprogressively and more strongly against the slanted surface of thehermetically sealing ring for effectively scraping offcosmetic-material-deposits. When the inner lid is fully closed, thepressing force between the hermetically sealing ring and the annularridge is increased for a better hermetically sealing capability.

Because the hermetic sealing mechanism is disposed around the cosmeticaccommodating region, it is not necessary to provide a large annularrecess around the cosmetic accommodating region as in the conventionalarrangements. Therefore, the open area of the cosmetic accommodatingregion may be made larger, increasing the amount of the accommodatedcosmetic material without increasing the size of the cosmetic container.

According to the present invention, furthermore, when the singleoperating member of the push-piece is operated while both the outer lidand the inner lid are closed, the push-piece is rotated, causing thefirst releasing member to release the first hook and the first engagingtooth out of engagement, and also causing the second releasing member torelease the second hook and the second engaging tooth out of engagement.Therefore, both the outer lid and the inner lid can be opened with thesingle push-piece. Because the outer lid and the inner lid can be openedtogether by a single action of the push-piece, the lids of a doublestructure can be opened in a highly simple operation. Since thepush-piece is rotatable, the space for the push-piece to operate may besmall, resulting in reduction in the size of the cosmetic container.

According to the present invention, furthermore, the lock mechanism isdisposed between the inner tray of the refill case and the pair of sidewalls of the container housing in a disengageably engageable manner forlocking the refill case installed in one side of the accommodating spaceagainst sliding movement, thereby preventing the refill case from freelymoving in the accommodating space when the container housing is tilted.

According to the present invention, furthermore, the pair of slideguides and the pair of slides are vertically disengageably engageablewith each other for installing the refill case into and removing therefill case from the accommodating space of the container housing in thevertical directions. Consequently, there are excellent effects such asthat the refill case can be installed and removed vertically in twoways.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hermetically sealed cosmetic containercomprising:a container housing having a bottom wall and an outerperipheral wall surrounding said bottom wall, said outer peripheral walland said bottom wall defining an accommodating space therein; an outerlid rotatably mounted on said container housing for opening and closingsaid accommodating space; a refill case having an inner tray defining acosmetic accommodating region for accommodating cosmetic materialtherein, an inner lid for opening and closing said cosmeticaccommodating region, a hinge mechanism projecting outwardly from saidinner tray for rotatably mounting said inner lid to said inner tray, anda hermetic sealing mechanism disposed between said inner tray and saidinner lid for surrounding and hermetically sealing said cosmeticaccommodating region, said refill case being detachably installed in oneside of said cosmetic accommodating region, leaving a space in the otherside of said cosmetic accommodating region, with said hinge mechanismbeing disposed adjacent to said outer peripheral wall of said containerhousing, and said inner lid having an openable and closable endpositioned on the opposite side of said hinge mechanism and within saidaccommodating space; a groove defined in the outer peripheral wallportion of said container housing adjacent to said hinge mechanism, saidhinge mechanism being fitted in said groove so as to be exposed out ofsaid container housing; a pair of slide guides disposed horizontally ona pair of parallel side walls of the outer peripheral wall portion ofsaid container housing, the outer peripheral wall portion with saidgroove defined therein being interposed between said slide guides; and apair of slides disposed in said inner tray of said refill case fordisengageably engaging with said pair of slide guides, respectively,being guided by said slide guides to slide said refill case horizontallyfrom one side of said accommodating space to the other; said hermeticsealing mechanism comprising: an annular ridge disposed on either one ofsaid inner tray or said inner lid in surrounding relationship to saidcosmetic accommodating region, and projecting toward the other; and ahermetically sealing ring disposed on the other of said inner tray andsaid inner lid and having a slanted surface movable in frictionalcontact with said annular ridge while said inner lid is being closed,said hermetically sealing ring being hermetically pressable against theentire periphery of said annular ridge.
 2. A hermetically sealedcosmetic container according to claim 1, further comprising a lidopening mechanism including:a first engaging tooth disposed on saidcontainer housing; a first hook disposed on said outer lid fordisengageably engaging said first engaging tooth to keep said outer lidclosed; a second engaging tooth disposed on said inner tray of saidrefill case; a second hook disposed on said inner lid of said refilltray for disengageably engaging said second engaging tooth to keep saidinner lid closed; and a single push-piece rotatably mounted on saidcontainer housing for releasing said first hook and said first engagingtooth out of engagement and also releasing said second hook and thesecond engaging tooth out of engagement; said push-piece comprising: asingle operating member for imparting operating forces to rotate saidpush-piece; and a first releasing member for releasing said first hookfrom said first engaging tooth and a second releasing member forreleasing said second hook from said second engaging tooth, under theoperating forces imparted to said operating member.
 3. A hermeticallysealed cosmetic container according to claim 1, further comprising alock mechanism disposed between said inner tray of said refill case andsaid pair of side walls of said container housing and beingdisengageably engaged for locking said refill case installed in one sideof the accommodating space against sliding movement.
 4. A hermeticallysealed cosmetic container according to claim 1, wherein said pair ofslide guides and said pair of slides are vertically disengageablyengageable with each other for installing said refill case into andremoving said refill case from said accommodating space in saidcontainer housing in the vertical directions.
 5. A hermetically sealedcosmetic container comprising:a container housing having a bottom walland an outer peripheral wall surrounding said bottom wall, said outerperipheral wall and said bottom wall defining an accommodating spacetherein; an outer lid rotatably mounted on said container housing foropening and closing said accommodating space; a refill case having aninner tray defining a cosmetic accommodating region for accommodatingcosmetic material therein, an inner lid for opening and closing saidcosmetic accommodating region, a hinge mechanism projecting outwardlyfrom said inner tray for rotatably mounting said inner lid to said innertray, and a hermetic sealing mechanism disposed between said inner trayand said inner lid for surrounding and hermetically sealing saidcosmetic accommodating region, said refill case being detachablyinstalled in one side of said cosmetic accommodating region, leaving aspace in the other side of said cosmetic accommodating region, with saidhinge mechanism being disposed adjacent to said outer peripheral wall ofsaid container housing, and said inner lid having an openable andclosable end positioned on the opposite side of said hinge mechanism andwithin said accommodating space; a groove defined in the outerperipheral wall portion of said container housing adjacent to said hingemechanism, said hinge mechanism being fitted in said groove so as to beexposed out of said container housing; a pair of slide guides disposedhorizontally on a pair of parallel side walls of the outer peripheralwall portion of said container housing, the outer peripheral wallportion with said groove defined therein being interposed between saidslide guides; and a pair of slides disposed in said inner tray of saidrefill case for disengageably engaging with said pair of slide guides,respectively, being guided by said slide guides to slide said refillcase horizontally from one side of said accommodating space to theother; a lock mechanism disposed between said inner tray of said refillcase and said pair of side walls of said container housing and beingdisengageably engaged for locking said refill case installed in one sideof the accommodating space against sliding movement; and a lid openingmechanism including: a first engaging tooth disposed on said containerhousing; a first hook disposed on said outer lid for disengageablyengaging said first engaging tooth to keep said outer lid closed; asecond engaging tooth disposed on said inner tray of said refill case; asecond hook disposed on said inner lid of said refill tray fordisengageably engaging said second engaging tooth to keep said inner lidclosed; and a single push-piece rotatably mounted on said containerhousing for releasing said first hook and said first engaging tooth outof engagement and also releasing said second hook and the secondengaging tooth out of engagement; said push-piece comprising: a singleoperating member for imparting operating forces to rotate saidpush-piece; and a first releasing member for releasing said first hookfrom said first engaging tooth and a second releasing member forreleasing said second hook from said second engaging tooth, under theoperating forces imparted to said operating member; said hermeticsealing mechanism comprising: an annular ridge disposed on either one ofsaid inner tray or said inner lid in surrounding relationship to saidcosmetic accommodating region, and projecting toward the other; and ahermetically sealing ring disposed on the other of said inner tray andsaid inner lid and having a slanted surface movable in frictionalcontact with said annular ridge while said inner lid is being closed,said hermetically sealing ring being hermetically pressable against theentire periphery of said annular ridge.